Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Naidu Unveils Southern States Growth Roadmap at Zonal Council
N Chandrababu Naidu asked southern Indian states to work more closely with one another and with the central government.
He said cooperation could help solve shared problems and speed up development.
He suggested a bullet train route through Kuppam linking Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
He also proposed transport links between Amaravati, Bengaluru and Chennai.
Other ideas included shared logistics facilities, dry ports and connected power grids.
Universities and training institutions could cooperate to help people gain skills.
A Mutual Aid Force could share resources during disasters.
Naidu also suggested a spiritual tourism route linking Tirupati with Kashi, Ayodhya and the Char Dham.
He said the southern states could reach a $10 trillion economy by 2047 and asked the Centre to resolve Andhra Pradesh’s pending issues.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu urged southern states to resolve inter-state issues through trust, cooperation and coordination with the Centre.
He proposed a bullet train corridor through Kuppam linking Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, plus a network connecting Amaravati, Bengaluru and Chennai.
Naidu called for shared logistics networks, dry ports, power-grid integration, university partnerships and a Mutual Aid Force for disasters.
He said southern states contribute about 31% of India’s GDP and could build a $10 trillion economy by 2047.
Naidu sought action on Andhra Pradesh’s bifurcation disputes, infrastructure clearances and a proposal to divert more than 500 TMC through the Godavari–Cauvery link.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu addressed the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah; reports differed on whether Telangana’s Chief Minister attended, while they variously listed other southern leaders or Puducherry’s Lieutenant Governor.
- What
- Naidu presented proposals for southern-state cooperation, transport, logistics, energy, tourism, economic growth, water management and resolution of Andhra Pradesh’s pending bifurcation-related matters.
- When
- Thursday, August 20; the reports do not specify the year.
- Where
- Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu; the Andhra government released the speech text in Amaravati.
- Why
- Naidu said cooperation among southern states and coordination with the Centre were needed for development and for addressing common challenges and inter-state disputes.
- Meeting
- 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting
- Chair
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah
- Regional GDP contribution
- About 31% of India’s GDP, according to Naidu
- Economic target
- A $10 trillion southern economy by 2047
- Transport proposals
- A bullet train corridor through Kuppam and a network linking Amaravati, Bengaluru and Chennai
- Water proposal
- Diversion of more than 500 TMC through the Godavari–Cauvery river-linking project
- Pending bifurcation issues
- Institutions under Schedules 9 and 10 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act remained unresolved after 12 years, according to Naidu
